Ryan Harris will compete in the district wrestling tournament this weekend at Garfield Heights High School for a chance to compete at the state tournament at Ohio State. (Joshua Gunter/ The Plain Dealer)

By
Nathaniel Cline, Northeast Ohio Media Group
on February 19, 2014 10:43 AM

BEACHWOOD, Ohio — This week’s Off the Mat wrestling spotlight brings a double dose with not one, but two wrestlers -- Beachwood seniors Sam Gross and Ryan Harris. Northeast Ohio Media Group reporter Nathaniel Cline spent some time with the seniors as they try to win their second state championship each. Before last week's individual sectional tournament at Beachwood, the seniors talked about their favorite actresses, movies and what they got for Valentine’s Day.

Learn more about Harris and Gross beyond wrestling in the video below.

Ryan Harris

School: Beachwood.

Year: Senior.

Weight Class: 170 pounds.

Last season: State champion.

This season: Holds a record of 39-3 with 30 pins before last week’s sectional tournament. He earned an eighth-place finish in the Ironman Tournament, and first place in the Beachwood, Kenston, Bill Dies and Chagrin Valley Conference tournaments.

Last week: Won the individual sectional wrestling tournament at Beachwood.

This week: Harris will compete in the district wrestling tournament this weekend at Garfield Heights for a chance to compete at the state tournament at Ohio State.

Harris’ portfolio: Harris finished his freshman year seventh in the state, third as a sophomore and in his junior season went undefeated after 50 matches, earning him his first state championship. He is Beachwood’s leader in career wins. Harris will wrestle for Ohio State.

Sam Gross will compete in the district wrestling tournament at Garfield Heights High School for a chance to compete at the state tournament at Ohio State. (Lisa DeJong/The Plain Dealer)

Sam Gross

School: Beachwood.

Year: Senior.

Weight Class: 132.

Last season: Finished third in the state meet.

This season: Holds a record of 29-3 with 17 pins. He earned an eighth-place finish in the Ironman Tournament, and first place in the Beachwood, Kenston and Chagrin Valley Conference tournaments.

Last week: Won the individual sectional wrestling tournament at Beachwood.

This week: Gross will compete in the district wrestling tournament at Garfield Heights for a chance to compete at the state tournament at Ohio State.

Gross’s portfolio: Gross is a three-time state placer and earned a state championship as a sophomore. He is Beachwood’s second leader in career wins. Gross will wrestle for Northwestern University.

Contact high school sports reporter Nathaniel Cline by email (ncline@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@nathanielcline). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

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